October Diary

I'm still reading the book "American Eden" and the chapter about early colonial gardens. While doing this series of little drawings, I was thinking about how the Europeans were carving out their outposts in the new world. Tulips and exotic tropical fruits were signs of status. They were considered "living booty" and the reason for "swash buckling botanist adventurers".


 I was also reminded of that scene in "The Great Gatsby" about the light at the end of Daisy's dock. Here's just a little of that lovely passage:
"And as the moon rose higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually I became aware of the old island that flowered once for Dutch sailors eyes- a fresh, green breast of the new world... face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder."